Baguio Flower Festival 2013 main activities schedule out

Submitted by baguiocitydotcom on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 23:08

By:

Julie Fianza

Posted: 09-Nov-2012 / 4 years 46 weeks ago

BAGUIO CITY – The month of February next year shall start with a floriferous grand opening Panagbenga parade with the elementary schools’ drum and lyre and dance competition, featuring the Panagbenga hymn with the Ibaloi Bendian Dance cadence.

The grand opening parade shall start at the Panagbenga Park, go down Session road and end at the Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park.

On the same date, the market encounter and landscaping competition opens at Burnham Park and would go on until March 3.

With the theme “A blooming odyssey,” Panagbenga’s 18th year is expected to be well-attended by Baguio’s sister cities, both local and foreign. This was the pronouncement of Mayor Mauricio after his working trip to Canada and Japan last week. Executives from the sister cities of Vaughn, Canada and Hanyu, Japan, the mayor said, including those in long-time sister city Vallejo, California have committed themselves to witness the main activities, the grand street dancing parade on Feb. 23; and the grand float parade on Feb. 24.

The Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom shall be on Feb. 10 at the Melvin Jones, Burnham Park; a double feature regatta, one a 10 AM and the other at 6 PM, shall also be presented at the Burnham Lake on the same date; Session road in bloom opens on Feb. 25 after the street dancing and float parade, up to March 3; the Pony Boys’ day, with races and games on horseback, shall be on March 2, and the closing ceremonies shall be at 2 PM, March 3 at the Athletic Bowl, as was announced during the press conference following the launching.

Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated (BFFFI) Executive Committee officials; Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony de Leon and Freddie Alquiros, and Laurel Bangaoet of the Baguio Cultural Society, with Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Director Jesus Cambay and other city officials were on hand to answer questions as to Panagbenga 2013.

Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President and Councilor Joel Alangsab also assured the officials present of the barangays’ cooperation for the activities and parade. Participants are expected from the barangays for the landscape contests, he said. Ornamentals are to be planted along the highways and roadside gardens, he confirmed, so as to have flower the whole-year round. This was due to an observation last year of a tourism officer that the major highway, specially on the forefront, are wanting of flowers.

As to queries on funds, BFFFI Execom’s Freddie Alquiros and Anthony de Leon responded that Panagbenga festival 2012 gained nearly a million pesos, which they hope would be surpassed this 2013 event. Hopes are high that the next festivals would not be dependent on private sponsors, they said. There has been no honorarium being paid out, and volunteers are most welcome, they added.

The mayor however mentioned that the city is helping out with P2M, with another P2M earmarked from the congressman’s funds. The financial statement of the Festival is also open for scrutiny, he said.

As to foreseen lack in blooms, the BFFFI officials enjoined private citizens to grow ornamental plants in their areas. This should help augment flower supplies from the different parts of the region, while being environmental-friendly and improving areas in the concrete jungle, they said.

In addition, an environmental committee shall be on hand, as to waste disposal during the month-filled activities, it was learned.

BCPO Director also assured the organizers that policemen shall always be prepared for the event. Peace and order in the city has always been our main concern, thus, we will be more vigilant specially during big events such as Panagbenga where crowds are expected, he said.

Architect Joseph Alabanza mentioned of Mayor Domogan’s message about a single bloom being pretty, but with other flowers in a bouquet would be more beautiful. He ended with a confirmation about the truth of said statement which could apply to coordination and cooperation for the Panagbenga activities this coming year. –juliegfianza